Funny sign ordinance observation...

[triclops i]

I have traveled to Orlando and Atlanta in the last month and something funny I noticed....

both citys have electronic billboards and advertising everywhere downtown. We dont have these here because of the sign ordinance. To work around this instead.....

companys pay crackheads $30 a day to jump around like idiots with signs! There is literally dudes on every corner wearing caps and gowns advertising get your High School diploma programs!

Just saying, you dont really see that in places with lax sign ordinances:)

[Timkin]

crackheads? 

[urbanlibertarian]

Unintended consequence of the sign ordinance=increased employment opportunities for crackheads!!

[Ocklawaha]

Bet you'd be shocked at how many of those "crackheads" have a B.A. in Business Management.

OCKLAWAHA

[simms3]

Doubtful those "crackheads" have legitimate degrees, but anyway, even though there are signs everywhere in Atlanta, there are still tons of people holding signs on sides of roads (even more than I have noticed in Jacksonville).

I personally love all the billboards and digitals signs and signs above businesses in Atlanta, but it doesn't mean that people don't dress up like the Statue of Liberty and advertise Payday loans/Title loans.  I see them every waking day (usually at least 2-3 a day).

[Timkin]

Its doubtful in real life that they are even "crackheads"   Probably just ordinary people out trying to earn a living. At least if they are standing out there , they cannot possibly be breaking into your houses , stealing from you to buy crack.

[dougskiles]

I love the dancing sign guys.  They are entertaining and the closest thing our city will get to having street performers.  I'm sure it won't be long before they are banned.

[Bativac]

I agree totally about the absurdity of the sign ordinance, at least as far as downtown is concerned. I mean, are we trying to protect the pristine, office park-esque environment down there?

Downtown should be a center for business, retail, commerce. As such, there should be ZERO RESTRICTIONS on signage. Restrictions can come into play in other parts of the city that are less dense and have more unspoilt natural beauty. For example, the pristine meadows of the Arlington Expressway, or the wild orange dinosaurs of Beach Blvd...

[Garden guy]

It's quit apparent that many of you really don't care about the obsurd overbearing signs that some companies try to get away with...do we want to look like blanding blvd all throughout jacksonville....you give an inch and so many idiot business owners will take a mile. we've fought for years to keep obnoxious signs at bay...another thought...why do we need so many signs downtown...there's noone there to read them.

[Doctor_K]

It's quit apparent that many of you really don't care about the obsurd overbearing signs that some companies try to get away with...

Such as? 

If there are *no* signs, the businesses suffer because they don't have access to a great form of advertising - billboard and roadside signs.

you give an inch and so many idiot business owners will take a mile

They're probably evil and idiot Republicans.

[Garden guy]

if companies do their jobs and do it well they really don't need signs...do they? i've had a successful business for 25 years and never have i had to rely on massive obtrusive signs.

[urbanlibertarian]

I think it would be great if DT Jax looked just like the Las Vegas strip with giant billboards, flashing neon, etc. because with that comes profitable growing businesses that employ people and satisfy customers.

[Bativac]

if companies do their jobs and do it well they really don't need signs...do they? i've had a successful business for 25 years and never have i had to rely on massive obtrusive signs.

I just have to disagree with this. I am sure you can do well without having signage to advertise your business - my dad has been a professional artist for 20+ years and has never carried a sign or worked out of a shop - but the types of businesses that tend to thrive in a downtown area - retail and food - absolutely must have attractive, visible signage to attract people. Plus, the presence of such signage lends an air of vibrancy and life to an area that looks otherwise dead and empty due to a lack of signage (and, in downtown Jax's case, a lack of people).

Blanding Blvd is one of the busiest roads in town. If the installation of signage will bring some of that traffic to downtown, then yes, I'd love downtown Jax to look like Blanding Blvd as regards the presence of signage.

[wsansewjs]

In Duval County, I do believe that the electronic signage display are allowed but they cannot change its message no shorter than 30 mins or something unless that has been changed AGAIN.

In Clay County, few people I know personally used the local politicians to change the sign ordinance to allow electronic signage display with no exception to the duration of changing messages. Now you can see more electronic signs more than ever that will blind you and make your eyes scream bloody murder. I used to be a part-time employee in a signage business.

Oh when I travel up on the road 231 via Dothan, AL to Birmingham, AL from Jacksonville for visiting my grandparents. We were attacked by the holy shit blazing, brighter than the bloody Sun, BRIGHT LED electronic display that basically lit the sky and beam its death ray in the face of the motorists. I was hoping there was a camera as I give my finest pulsing two middle fingers at it.

-Josh

[BridgeTroll]

we've fought for years to keep obnoxious signs at bay

Shockingly...   You are part of the problem...

there's noone there to read them.

Then they really should not bother you...